Aged care workers have often been the only point of social contact for their clients during COVID lockdowns.
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And the importance of the industry is being recognised on National Aged Care Employee Day, which is being observed by Westmont Community Care.
A team of 87 work from their Beechworth Road base; Kristeen Radcliffe is among them.
"I enjoy everything about it," she said.
"I've been doing it for 20 years and I've had some clients for 15 years.
"There's a lot of clients with family in Melbourne or Sydney, and because of COVID, they can't come and visit as much as they used to.
"That makes it really hard for family members that are here."
Registered nurse of 37 years Angela Uhrhane has worked in both residential and community-based care.
"There's a really good place for both," she said.
"We've got people out there who don't have a lot of family support and if we can help them to live out that wish as long as possible to stay independent at home, it helps their well-being.
"I think connections with people is what drives a lot of us to work in the industry.
"People say that we're giving, but we also receive, through their resilience and stories."
Community care co-ordinator Rhianna Coleiro said their operations had grown since taking on home care in 2013 when council services creased.
"Then, Westmont was a small community provider with primarily Department of Veterans Affairs' funding," she said.
"It's grown exponentially - a lot of the funding for aged care is now going into ensuring people stay in their homes for longer.
"We often hear from a lot of our carers that they're drawn to that industry because they like making a difference.
"If you're looking for a long-term career, just try it."
Ms Coleiro said more younger people were joining the industry through free training and campaigns to increase the workforce.
"I myself went out and started as a business admin trainee, went on to do a Diploma of Community Services, then did my degree in Social Science, and now I'm doing my Masters," she said.
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"So there is definitely that path for career progression as well as longevity.
"We've had some students on placements with Kristeen and we would always love to see more."
